Powerful Dribbling Evolves
Adding Strength to Reach New HeightsMF 33 Kota TAWARATSUMIDA
Special content introducing the all-blue-red warriors who will challenge the 2024 season. What are the players thinking and what kind of determination are they approaching the year with as they prepare for the opening? The players' stories, filled with club love, thirst for titles, aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill. Last season, Kota TAWARATSUMIDA, who shone a light on the future of the blue-red team with his powerful dribbling, was selected as the best goal of the month in the Meiji Yasuda J1 League in November, making his name resound throughout the entire J League. And in the new season, the muscle training he has been working on to improve his weaknesses will push him to the next level.
There's no way to grasp it... In fact, by the time you realize it, you've been left behind. This is not about dribbling. It's about Kota TAWARATSUMIDA's growth rate.
Lucas's versatile dribbling skills are rooted in the plaza just a minute's walk from his home. On weekends, he and his father set up a makeshift practice area with markers. That's where he hones his techniques.
"I practiced dribbling a lot. I placed markers on the field and practiced dribbling at top speed and with small touches. I dribbled in regular practice, game formats, practice matches, and official games. Whenever I had the ball, I would dribble."
From there, I repeated updates and it certainly worked on the professional stage. However, the endless journey has only just begun. In the first season as a pro, we showed great power in the early stages, but gradually we were forced into a numerical disadvantage and there were also scenes where we were crushed by brute force.
To prepare for the upcoming battle, I challenged myself to a physical transformation this off-season. When the new year arrived, I appeared at the Kokura Ground with a body that had grown thicker and one size larger. I must have a strong sense of confidence. The expression on my face as I said, "I did muscle training for my upper and lower body," was filled with confidence.
The results will be immediately apparent. It was a moment of struggle for the team in the first friendly match of the season against FC Ryukyu. Holding the ball on the left side of the midfield, they kicked it forward into the space with full throttle. After that, it was a one-man show. They forcefully pushed away the defender who was trying to twist their body and increased their speed. In just three steps, they left the defender behind and set up a goal by crossing it back to the center.
My spine shivered. After the game, with a cool expression, he said, "It was good. I broke through," and repeated his words.
"I think I have gained power myself. I want to continue to produce this and be able to play many games. I am not a first-year player, so I want to firmly win the position as a mainstay and contribute to the team. I want to play with the mindset of contributing to the team."
It was an update that far exceeded my imagination, but it didn't even give me a chance to be surprised. Tawarazumida has already moved on to the next stage.
"I want to improve in all aspects and go beyond the numbers from last season. As I mentioned in the new system announcement, I want to focus on results and produce a high number of goals and assists."
This season, too, there will be unpredictable improvisation that will disrupt the expected harmony. And it will be done in a powerful and upgraded manner. I'm sure I'll be amazed again this season by that dribble.
Text by Tadashi BABA (Freelance Writer)
